This Commerce Life

We sit down with Sanaz Bahrami, founder of Melts Infusions, who shares her remarkable journey from aspiring surgeon to herbal wellness entrepreneur. After nerve damage derailed her medical career dreams, Sanaz discovered the power of adaptogenic herbs during a challenging period in graduate school studying biomedical engineering.What started as brewing "peace tea" in her apartment to manage anxiety and depression has evolved into a thriving business with over 500,000 TikTok followers and a loyal customer base. Sanaz opens up about her early struggles with mental health, the limitations she found with traditional pharmaceutical approaches, and how a lab mate's suggestion to try herbal remedies changed her life. Check out Melts Infusions here: https://meltsinfusion.com/Find Sanaz here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanaz-bahrami-7a067014a/Sanaz's Tiktok page is here: https://www.tiktok.com/@meltsinfusions Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

From Stadium Cleaner to Craft Brewer - The Latina Beer StoryPhil and Kenny sit down with Carlos Castro, the Venezuelan-Canadian founder of Latina Beer, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, immigration, and following your passion.Carlos shares his remarkable journey from cleaning Rogers Stadium as an entry-level job to building his own craft brewery in St. Catharines, Ontario. What started as a casual conversation with a coworker during a break led to an eight-year adventure in the beer industry - all beginning with a napkin, a homebrew recipe, and $1,500.check out Latina beer at https://www.latina.beer/      and  @latinabeer Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/  

The Kristina Farrell Episode: Fighting for Canada's Food System from the InsideIn this episode, hosts Phil and Kenny sit down with Kristina Farrell, CEO of Food & Beverage Canada, to explore the complex world of Canadian food manufacturing policy. Christina, who represents domestic food and beverage manufacturers across the country, breaks down the critical distinction between companies that actually make products in Canada versus those that simply sell here.From her team-of-two operation in Ottawa, Kristina tackles massive challenges including inter-provincial trade barriers, labor shortages, and the ongoing work on Bill C-5. The conversation reveals how 92% of Canada's food manufacturing companies have fewer than 100 employees, yet the industry remains the country's largest manufacturing sector—a fact that often gets overlooked in policy discussions.Kristina shares her journey from government bureaucracy to lobbying, explaining how she became the central coordinator between six provincial food and beverage associations and federal policymakers. The discussion touches on everything from why you've probably had more USDA beef than Alberta beef, to the surprising complexities of calling something "recyclable" under new Competition Act provisions.The hosts and Kristina dig into Canada's tendency to overcomplicate systems that should be straightforward, from food safety standards that vary by province to the challenges of getting recognition for an industry that feeds everyone but struggles to get the political attention given to "sexier" sectors like automotive or mining.Key topics covered:The difference between food manufacturers and CPG companiesInter-provincial trade barriers and Bill C-5Labor challenges in food manufacturingWhy Canada's food system is simultaneously world-class and poorly understood by CanadiansThe role of provincial food and beverage associationsSustainability challenges and greenwashing regulationsThis episode offers an inside look at the people working behind the scenes to keep Canada's food system running, and why understanding these complexities matters for everyone who eats.Find Kristina here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-farrell-b09ba549/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

CHFA Now Toronto 2025 Preview with Aaron Skelton & Lynsey WalkerJoin Phil and Kenny as they chat with Aaron Skelton (CEO) and Lynsey Walker (Chief Marketing Officer) from the Canadian Health Food Association for an exciting preview of CHFA Now Toronto 2025, happening September 19 - 21, 2025What's New This Year:BDC & Be Local Thursday Night Event - Special networking event at BDC Square (37th floor of CIBC Tower) with stunning lake viewsEnhanced Conference Programming - Friday's packed agenda includes a new Quebec session called "Bonjour-Hi" and the highly anticipated data & insights presentation on women's healthRevamped Industry Awards - Saturday's awards ceremony promises to be the biggest yet, with upgraded entertainment and a green carpet experienceSunday Fun Run - 3km charity run supporting Second Harvest, plus Incubator Alley pitch sessionsKey Dates:Online registration closes August 31stVIP retailer perks include free parking, Uber discounts, and food vouchersShow runs September 6-8 at the CNE Automotive Building (formerly Beanfield)Whether you're a longtime industry veteran or newcomer to the natural health space, this episode captures why CHFA has become the must-attend event that people plan their entire year around. As Phil notes, it's transformed from "Are you going?" to "When we get to CHFA, let's..."Don't miss the advocacy update where Aaron explains how grassroots efforts led to real regulatory wins - proving that when the industry comes together, change is possible.Sign up for CHFA here: https://www.chfanow.ca/toronto/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

From Bartending Tips to 24 Locations: The Foxy Box StoryIn this episode of This Commerce Life, we sit down with Kyla, the bold founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser & Wax Bars, who turned bar tips and brazilian waxes in her dining room into a 24-location franchise empire across Canada.Starting 12 years ago in her dining room (yes, you read that right), Kyla used her bartending tips to fund her venture into the hair removal industry. What began as giving customers shots of tequila while learning to perfect Brazilian waxes has evolved into a franchise system employing over 250 staff across four provinces.  you can find Kyla here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-dufresne-295867149/check out Foxy box here: https://foxyboxwaxbar.com/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

A celebration of success. Re-sharing Caitlyn Vanderhaeghe's episode from 2022 on the evolution of Kidstar. In light of her announcement last week of getting National distribution, we thought it'd be a good time to re-share Caitlin's journey with Kidstar. A small Canadian company, that put in a lot of work to get here! Congrats Caitlyn and the Kidstar team!! Check out Kidstar here: https://kidstarnutrients.com/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/  

Mid-Summer Update - Road Trips, Trade Shows, and What's NextPhil and Kenny reconnect for a candid mid-summer update on what's been keeping them busy and what's coming up for This Commerce Life. After spending five hours together booking travel (and learning they should have let Keelin handle it), the duo shares their exciting plans for the fall.In This Episode:Anuga 2025: The hosts are headed to Germany's massive food trade show (October 4-8) to bring back marketplace intelligenceOntario Road Trip: Kenny's coming to Toronto in late September/early October for filming across Central Ontario - from London to Barrie, or potentially east to the Belleville-Kingston areaBehind the Scenes: Meet Keelin, their "not-so-secret weapon" who keeps them organized, and why they're crystallizing their three core focusesThe Unsexy Fundamentals: Why they keep returning to the same crucial topics - cost of goods, margins, cash flow - that aren't glamorous but are essential for Canadian retail successRetail Stories: Their passion for independent Canadian retailers, from Brian Pilau's stores to Peter at Kelowna Your Independent Grocer, and their dream to visit North West Company's Arctic Circle operationsLooking Ahead: BC Food & Bev accelerator program, Manitoba webinars, a mystery Interior BC conference, and their ongoing mission to showcase Canadian retailThank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Amy Rempel - From Third-Generation Grocery to Pioneering Kids' SkincareIn this episode, we sit down with Amy Rempel, owner of Elevation Brands and founder of Fresh Faces Skincare, Canada's first skincare line specifically designed for kids. Amy brings a unique perspective to the natural products industry as a third-generation grocery professional whose great-grandfather helped bring Metro stores to Ontario.What You'll Learn:How Amy identified a dangerous TikTok trend of kids using adult skincare products and turned it into a business opportunityThe reality of working with brokers vs. distributors and what brands need to know before making the callWhy Amy created a consulting package to bridge the gap between direct-to-consumer and retail-ready brandsThe importance of having distribution, funding, and production capacity in place before approaching brokersMajor Announcement: Amy shares her exciting news about receiving a Golden Ticket and getting Fresh Faces Skincare into Walmart stores nationwide starting February 2025 - and how she's already thinking strategically about execution rather than just celebrating the win.Key Takeaways:The difference between wants vs. needs in emerging categoriesHow to position new products in conventional retail (hint: clear shelf signage is everything)Why understanding your retailer's customer base is crucial for successThe evolution of brand partnerships and when it's time to level upAmy's pragmatic approach to business development and her deep industry knowledge make this a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their brand or work with brokers effectively.Check out Fresh faces here: https://freshfacesco.com/Find Amy Rempel here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-rempel/

Trading Cards to Facebook Fame: How One Collector Built a Digital EmpireJoin Phil and Kenny as they dive deep into the fascinating world of modern card collecting with special guest Anthony from Red Light Sports. What started as a COVID hobby digging through childhood collections has evolved into a thriving Facebook Live business that's redefining how collectors buy and sell.Anthony takes us behind the scenes of his innovative approach to card sales - from mystery bags that guarantee value to live auctions that keep hundreds of viewers engaged for hours. Discover how he built a community of 1,400+ members, created custom entertainment elements (yes, there's a theme song!), and turned what could be mundane transactions into must-watch events.In This Episode:The psychology behind mystery pulls and why "the first one's free"How to pivot from daily auction management to streamlined live showsBuilding customer loyalty through entertainment and guaranteed valueThe challenges of going live for 5-6 hours twice a weekWhy Anthony's girlfriend's AI skills became a game-changerPhil's continued resistance to card collecting (spoiler: 2,000 cards is apparently "nothing")Kenny's potential future as a guest auctioneerWhether you're into cards, curious about Facebook Live selling, or fascinated by how hobbies become businesses, this episode offers insights into community building, digital entrepreneurship, and the passion that drives collectors.Plus: Plans for an epic Vancouver ice cream tour featuring 218 flavors at La Casa Gelato - because apparently that's how card people network. Find Anthony at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CqUYjddbr/Check out La Casa Gelato here: https://www.instagram.com/lacasagelato?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: www.fieldagentcanada.com

Burgoo Restaurant's Justin Joyce on 24 Years of Comfort Food & Vancouver's Evolving Food SceneWe had an amazing conversation with Justin, owner of the four Burgoo restaurant locations in Vancouver, who joined us despite dealing with a power outage and a sick dog. What started as a discussion about his restaurants quickly evolved into a deep dive about the challenges facing independent operators in today's market.The Burgoo StoryWe learned how Justin's path to restaurants began with a detour from university. Originally headed to study English literature at the University of Alberta, he stopped in Calgary and met a mentor who offered to lend him money to open a restaurant in Vancouver. At 21, with no stress and plenty of optimism, he made the leap and opened the Funky Armadillo in the early '90s before eventually developing the Burgoo concept in 2001.What struck us was how Burgoo started as purely comfort food - originally serving only soups and stews in two sizes: "giant and enormous." They didn't even have plates when they first opened, serving everything in bowls. No sandwiches, no appetizers, just 10 soups and 15 stews. The menu has evolved dramatically over 24 years, finally adding french fries just this past year after resisting for over two decades. Check out Burgoo here: https://www.burgoo.ca/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast: https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/